Vietnam’s most charming town: Hoi An

Hoi An was by far our favorite town in Vietnam. A trading port dating back to the 17th-century, it has been shaped by the cultures that passed through its ports—Japanese, Chinese, Dutch, Indian and Vietnamese. With its well-preserved homes, shops, and temples, the whole town center has been deemed a UNESCO world-heritage site but it still bustles beyond the museum-goers.

Hoi An is an UNESCO site. It's like a huge outdoor museum. One of the icons of the town is the is the “Bridge for Travelers from Afar.” Built in 1593, this bridge connected the Japanese settlement to the rest of town. Today, its beauty and ethnic roots have become the symbol of Hoi An.

The energy and beauty of the city is too hard to capture with just words and photographs.

When night fell, the first thing we noticed was the force of votive candle sellers. It is tradition to light a lotus votive for good luck, love, and happiness and send it out to sea. Thousands of people partake, leaving the water twinkling with lit flowers and positive vibes.

 

For so many reasons we adored Hoi An. It recharged our bodies and souls, and there is no question about it, we will definitely be returning here in the future.